Alvaro Palacios Finca Dofi 2015 750ml
Rated 97 by James Suckling
This is a very tight and fine-grained red with a compressed mouthfeel. The fruit comes through to a class and elegance. Such length. Ethereal structure. Unique. Drink or hold.
... More details
Rated 95 by Wine Advocate
The 2015 Finca Dofà is mostly Garnacha with a 4% pinch of Cariñena and some white grapes from the vineyard that names it. Although there are some differences, mainly in the fringes and extremes, most of the soils from Priorat are very similar, with decomposed slate called "llicorella." Most of Palacios's wines are produced in a very similar way, with natural fermentation of destemmed and crushed grapes in oak vats and élevage in oak casks—in this case, larger bocoys and foudres—for 16 months. This wine has gained in drinkability since 2010-2011, and this lighter vintage feels even more approachable, with very clean flavors and unnoticeable tannins. It finishes very tasty and with subtle earthiness. 22,742 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2017.
Opaque, bright-rimmed ruby. Powerful, mineral-accented red and dark berry, cherry liqueur and licorice aromas are complicated by suggestions of incense and exotic spices. Deeply concentrated but lively as well, offering palate-staining black raspberry, bitter cherry, fruitcake and floral pastille flavors that show outstanding clarity and mineral thrust. Finishes extremely long and precise, with resonating floral, spice and mineral qualities and youthfully gripping tannins. By all means give this still-young wine some cellar time.
Big, strong, stewy stuff. The tannins are acceptably bitter, although not starkly so, and the rather thick fruit has a little warm scent peeping through, so it works pretty well.
Rated 92 by Wine Spectator
Round and generous, this toasty red offers flavors of cherry, plum and baking spices, showing depth. Light, firm tannins and fresh acidity keep this focused. A spicy, gentle wine, with deceptive length. Drink now through 2025. 1,800 cases made.
From Alvaro’s original vineyard, Finca Dofà is a blend of Garnacha, Cabernet, and Syrah. Like L’Ermita, Dofà combines power and richness with great breed and finesse. In most Priorat tastings that do not include L’Ermita, Dofà is the clear winner.